Media Statements

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Jeff Seeney

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Have your say on proposed agricultural hub

Queenslanders can have their say on the draft terms of reference for the environmental impact statement of a proposed new agricultural hub in North Queensland.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney welcomed the release by the Coordinator General of the draft terms of reference, saying it was the first step in a rigorous environmental assessment process for the potential Etheridge Integrated Agricultural Project.

“I encourage interested parties to comment during this process which will examine the potential environmental, economic and social impacts and opportunities of a proposed agricultural hub west of Georgetown,” Mr Seeney said.

“The environmental impact statement process should not be construed as the green light for the project to proceed – it is just the first step in what will be a lengthy and rigorous assessment of the proposed project.

“The proposal includes 240,000 hectares of grazing land, 65,000 hectares of cropping land, 18,000 hectares for water storage, and 2,000 hectares of infrastructure.

Mr Seeney said members of the community can comment on the environmental impact statement’s draft terms of reference until Monday 10 February 2014. The Coordinator General will then thoroughly review the terms of reference and release the final version for the proponent to address in its environmental impact statement.

The proposed integrated agricultural project was declared a coordinated project on 23 December 2013.